In 2018, students undertaking the 2019 HSC will be starting the New HSC Science Syllabus in Chemistry, Physics and Biology. In 2019 you will have the opportunity to take the newly introduced Extension Science.

"About 70% of the New

Science Syllabus will

cover topics from the old

HSC Syllabus and about

30% will be entirely new

concepts and topics"

Amir Sirder, PhD Candidate for Physics and

Synergy Education resource co-ordinator

Topics in the New Science Syllabus

Chemistry

Physics

Biology

Module 1

Properties and Structure of Matter

Kinematics

Cells as a basis for life

Module 2

Introduction to Quantitative Chemistry

Dynamics

Organisation of Living Things

Module 3

Reactive Chemistry

Waves and Thermodynamics

Biological Diversity

Module 4

Drivers of Reaction

Electricity and Magnetism

Ecosystem Dynamics

CHANGES IN CHEMISTRY

There is a renewed focus on applying Mathematical Principles to the Study of Chemistry

Usually, it will cost 1 or 2 marks if you don’t answer a question with the correct method for the verb. That’s almost 10-15% of your exam gone!

The most effective method to maximise your marks is to practise! You will find our teachers consistently emphasise on verbs in class and you’ll become familiar with them in not time!

3. First Principles

You will never succeed in the sciences by memorising.

There is a very strong focus from NESA for students to learn sciences from FIRST PRINCIPLES.

What is the difference between Rote Learning and First Principles?

Rote learning involves the memorisation of for example a formula.

First principles involves understanding how the formula was derived. This is important because you can apply your understanding to ANY question they give you.

Here is another reminder in why first principles understanding will be crucial to your HSC success:

‘HSC examination questions will be less predictable so students must apply their knowledge and skills in their answers’.

4. Practicals

The New Syllabus will require you to perform MORE experiments and practicals. Across the sciences, it will make up 20-30% of your coursework.

Practicals is something most students DON’T study much.

For practicals you need to know how to:

– Set-up
– Method
– Interpret results

You will also need to know how to evaluate reliability, accuracy and validity for all experiments you undertake.

To help you solidify your understanding in experiments, we undertake in-class practicals. With a comprehensive guide to answering all types of experiment related questions.

This is why our students are consistently able to come top in their practical exams as well as achieve an average of 93 in both physics and chemistry.

Old vs New Syllabus Exam Questions

Development Questions

Concept Driven

Calculation

Practicals

Old Syllabus Weighting

30%

20 – 30%

20%

10%

New Syllabus Weighting

5 – 10%

30 – 40%

30 – 40%

10 – 20%

Description

These are your long response type questions that are 5 – 7 marks in the old syllabus exams. In the New Syllabus there WILL still be these types of questions but much less.

These types of questions require providing definitions, concepts and derivations. As there are less development type questions in the New Syllabus, it is replaced with new concepts.

Since multiple new concepts are being introduced, there will inevitably be new calculation type questions.

Again, with new concepts being introduced there is a higher focus on experiments and conducting practicals.

Are past papers still relevant for the New HSC Syllabus?

IN SHORT, YES THEY STILL ARE!

WHY? The fundamentals of many dotpoints are still the same except for the ones that have been removed.

Hence, about 50-70% of past paper questions are still completely relevant!

Here is a summary of dotpoints that have been REMOVED. If come across them in past papers, just SKIP THEM! To save you time, we have indicated in each of our past papers the types of questions that are still relevant.

Section:The wave model can be used to explain how current technologies transfer information

Syllabus Dotpoints that are removed in the New Syllabus

describe the energy transformations required in one of the following:

Mobile telephone

Fax/modem

Radio & television

Topic:Electrical Energy in the Home

Section:Society has become increasingly dependent on electricity over the last 200 years

Syllabus Dotpoints that are removed in the New Syllabus

discuss how the main sources of domestic energy have changed over time

assess some of the impacts of changes in, and increased access to, sources of energy for a community

discuss some of the ways in which electricity can be provided in remote locationsidentify data sources, gather, process and analyse secondary information about the differing views of Volta and Galvani about animal and chemical electricity and discuss whether their different views contributed to increased understanding of electricity

Topic:Cosmic Engine

Section:Our Sun is just one star in the galaxy and ours is just on galaxy in the Universe

Syllabus Dotpoints that are removed in the New Syllabus

outline the historical development of models of the Universe from the time of Aristotle to the time of Newton

identify data sources, and gather, process and analyse information to assess one of the models of the Universe developed from the time of Aristotle to the time of Newton to identify limitations placed on the development of the model by the technology available at the time

Section:The distribution, diversity and numbers of plants and animals found in ecosystems are determined by biotic and abiotic factors

Syllabus Dotpoints that are removed in the New Syllabus

compare the abiotic characteristics of aquatic and terrestrial environments
process and analyse information obtained from a variety of sampling studies to justify the use of different sampling techniques to make population estimates when total counts cannot be performed

Section:Each local aquatic or terrestrial ecosystem is unique

Syllabus Dotpoints that are removed in the New Syllabus

identify examples of allelopathy, parasitism, mutualism and commensalism in an ecosystem and the role of organisms in each type of relationship

describe the role of decomposers in ecosystems

define the term adaptation and discuss the problems associated with inferring characteristics of organisms as adaptations for living in a particular habitat

Topic:Life on Earth

Section:The fossil record provides information about the subsequent evolution of living things

Syllabus Dotpoints that are removed in the New Syllabus

ALL DOTPOINTS REMOVED

Section:Analysis of the oldest sedimentary rocks provides evidence for the origin of life

Syllabus Dotpoints that are removed in the New Syllabus
ALL DOTPOINTS REMOVED

Topic:Evolution of Australian Biota

Section:Evidence for the rearrangement of crustal plates and continental drift indicates that Australia was once part of an ancient super continent

Syllabus Dotpoints that are removed in the New Syllabus
ALL DOTPOINTS REMOVED

Section:Continuation of species has resulted, in part, from the reproductive adaptations that have evolved in Australian plants and animals

Syllabus Dotpoints that are removed in the New Syllabus
ALL DOTPOINTS REMOVED

Topic:Patterns in Nature

Section:Organisms are made of cells that have similar structural characteristics

Syllabus Dotpoints that are removed in the New Syllabus

outline the historical development of the cell theory, in particular, the contributions of Robert Hooke and Robert Brown

describe evidence to support the cell theory

Section:Plants and animals have specialised structures to obtain nutrients from their environment

Syllabus Dotpoints that are removed in the New Syllabus

explain the relationship between the length and overall complexity of digestive systems of a vertebrate herbivore and a vertebrate carnivore with respect to:

the chemical composition of their diet

the functions of the structures involved

Section:Gaseous exchange and transport systems transfer chemicals through the internal and between the external environments of plants and animals

Syllabus Dotpoints that are removed in the New Syllabus

identify and compare the gaseous exchange surfaces in an insect, a fish, a frog and a mammal

Section:Maintenance of organisms requires growth and repair

Syllabus Dotpoints that are removed in the New Syllabus

identify mitosis as a process of nuclear division and explain its role

Excited to learn more?

Amal Joyson

Bruce Qi

I've been here for the past year and my marks in chemistry and physics have improved greatly. Great resources, teachers,...read more culture and food. Would recommend.

8/20/2017

Prima Sutandyo

The teachers are really easy to communicate too, really helpful and they explain both easy and hard concepts very simply.

1/11/2018

Gabe

Apart from chemistry, I've learnt so much from the teachers at Synergy. They all have amazing life experiences and their...read more just really interesting people to learn from.

1/11/2018

Shimron Pun

Synergy teachers are enthusiastic and dedicated to their work and students. Their attentiveness to each and every one of us...read more motivates us to do our best. Synergy makes learning easy and enjoyable!

1/11/2018

Aaron Lam

Before coming to this tutoring, I didn't understand the various concepts of chemistry and how to answer the questions. However,...read more since coming here, I have not regret it as I learnt many things.

8/19/2017

Jarin Hossain

Great materials, resources and teaching that really focus on exam preparation. The teachers are really approachable when it comes to...read more individual attention for school assessments

1/11/2018

Kristie Chandra

Synergy is dedicated to its students. The resources contained really useful exam techniques. They also strived to ensure we fully...read more understood the most difficult concepts.

1/11/2018

Natalie Chandra

Synergy has helped me so much with chemistry and ext 1 math. I was able to achieve a band 6...read more for both subjects along with a 98+ ATAR. Thank you so much!

1/11/2018

Shabrina Yusri

I've been going to Synergy for the past year for Ext 2 Maths, and honestly they are really great at...read more explaining the difficult concepts and even giving tips on how to tackle them in ways which make your life easier. The atmosphere is really chill, they have snacks if that's what you need to keep you energised!! Your tutor is basically your friend, and it makes asking questions both in-class and out of class through text much easier. Synergy is the only tutor I've ever gone to and I don't regret it - I don't know what I would've done without them.

8/23/2017

Kelly Xiao

After I joined Synergy I became more confident, motivated and started enjoying studying physics and chemistry. My marks have improved...read more significantly

1/11/2018

Darren Ha

The teachers at Synergy have inspired me to start a career in engineering. I want to thank them for their...read more enthusiasm and passion for teaching science.

1/11/2018

Abi

After being at Synergy for a term, my ranking for physics went from average to top

1/11/2018

Brandon Huynh

Synergy has created an effective learning culture. They have really great teachers who push you to exceed expectations.

In 2018, students undertaking the 2019 HSC will be starting the New HSC Science Syllabus in Chemistry, Physics and Biology. In 2019 you will have the opportunity to take the newly introduced Extension Science.

“About 70% of the New Syllabus will cover topics from the old HSC Syllabus and about 30% will be entirely new concepts and topics”

Usually, it will cost 1 or 2 marks if you don’t answer a question with the correct method for the verb. That’s almost 10-15% of your exam gone!

The most effective method to maximise your marks is to practise! You will find our teachers consistently emphasise on verbs in class and you’ll become familiar with them in not time!

3. First Principles

You will never succeed in the sciences by memorising.

There is a very strong focus from NESA for students to learn sciences from FIRST PRINCIPLES.

What is the difference between Rote Learning and First Principles?

Rote learning involves the memorisation of for example a formula.

First principles involves understanding how the formula was derived. This is important because you can apply your understanding to ANY question they give you.

Here is another reminder in why first principles understanding will be crucial to your HSC success:

‘HSC examination questions will be less predictable so students must apply their knowledge and skills in their answers’.

4. Practicals

The New Syllabus will require you to perform MORE experiments and practicals. Across the sciences, it will make up 20-30% of your coursework.

Practicals is something most students DON’T study much.

For practicals you need to know how to:

– Set-up
– Method
– Interpret results

You will also need to know how to evaluate reliability, accuracy and validity for all experiments you undertake.

To help you solidify your understanding in experiments, we undertake in-class practicals. With a comprehensive guide to answering all types of experiment related questions.

This is why our students are consistently able to come top in their practical exams as well as achieve an average of 93 in both physics and chemistry.

Old vs New Syllabus Exam Questions

Development Questions

Concept Driven

Calculation

Practicals

Old Syllabus Weighting

30%

20 – 30%

20%

10%

New Syllabus Weighting

5 – 10%

30 – 40%

30 – 40%

10 – 20%

Description

These are your long response type questions that are 5 – 7 marks in the old syllabus exams. In the New Syllabus there WILL still be these types of questions but much less.

These types of questions require providing definitions, concepts and derivations. As there are less development type questions in the New Syllabus, it is replaced with new concepts.

Since multiple new concepts are being introduced, there will inevitably be new calculation type questions.

Again, with new concepts being introduced there is a higher focus on experiments and conducting practicals.

scroll right 🙂

Are past papers still relevant for the New HSC Syllabus?

IN SHORT, YES THEY STILL ARE!

WHY? The fundamentals of many dotpoints are still the same except for the ones that have been removed.

Hence, about 50-70% of past paper questions are still completely relevant!

Here is a summary of dotpoints that have been REMOVED. If come across them in past papers, just SKIP THEM! To save you time, we have indicated in each of our past papers the types of questions that are still relevant.

Section:The wave model can be used to explain how current technologies transfer information

Syllabus Dotpoints that are removed in the New Syllabus

describe the energy transformations required in one of the following:

Mobile telephone

Fax/modem

Radio & television

Topic:Electrical Energy in the Home

Section:Society has become increasingly dependent on electricity over the last 200 years

Syllabus Dotpoints that are removed in the New Syllabus

discuss how the main sources of domestic energy have changed over time

assess some of the impacts of changes in, and increased access to, sources of energy for a community

discuss some of the ways in which electricity can be provided in remote locationsidentify data sources, gather, process and analyse secondary information about the differing views of Volta and Galvani about animal and chemical electricity and discuss whether their different views contributed to increased understanding of electricity

Topic:Cosmic Engine

Section:Our Sun is just one star in the galaxy and ours is just on galaxy in the Universe

Syllabus Dotpoints that are removed in the New Syllabus

outline the historical development of models of the Universe from the time of Aristotle to the time of Newton

identify data sources, and gather, process and analyse information to assess one of the models of the Universe developed from the time of Aristotle to the time of Newton to identify limitations placed on the development of the model by the technology available at the time

Section:The distribution, diversity and numbers of plants and animals found in ecosystems are determined by biotic and abiotic factors

Syllabus Dotpoints that are removed in the New Syllabus

compare the abiotic characteristics of aquatic and terrestrial environments
process and analyse information obtained from a variety of sampling studies to justify the use of different sampling techniques to make population estimates when total counts cannot be performed

Section:Each local aquatic or terrestrial ecosystem is unique

Syllabus Dotpoints that are removed in the New Syllabus

identify examples of allelopathy, parasitism, mutualism and commensalism in an ecosystem and the role of organisms in each type of relationship

describe the role of decomposers in ecosystems

define the term adaptation and discuss the problems associated with inferring characteristics of organisms as adaptations for living in a particular habitat

Topic:Life on Earth

Section:The fossil record provides information about the subsequent evolution of living things

Syllabus Dotpoints that are removed in the New Syllabus

ALL DOTPOINTS REMOVED

Section:Analysis of the oldest sedimentary rocks provides evidence for the origin of life

Syllabus Dotpoints that are removed in the New Syllabus
ALL DOTPOINTS REMOVED

Topic:Evolution of Australian Biota

Section:Evidence for the rearrangement of crustal plates and continental drift indicates that Australia was once part of an ancient super continent

Syllabus Dotpoints that are removed in the New Syllabus
ALL DOTPOINTS REMOVED

Section:Continuation of species has resulted, in part, from the reproductive adaptations that have evolved in Australian plants and animals

Syllabus Dotpoints that are removed in the New Syllabus
ALL DOTPOINTS REMOVED

Topic:Patterns in Nature

Section:Organisms are made of cells that have similar structural characteristics

Syllabus Dotpoints that are removed in the New Syllabus

outline the historical development of the cell theory, in particular, the contributions of Robert Hooke and Robert Brown

describe evidence to support the cell theory

Section:Plants and animals have specialised structures to obtain nutrients from their environment

Syllabus Dotpoints that are removed in the New Syllabus

explain the relationship between the length and overall complexity of digestive systems of a vertebrate herbivore and a vertebrate carnivore with respect to:

the chemical composition of their diet

the functions of the structures involved

Section:Gaseous exchange and transport systems transfer chemicals through the internal and between the external environments of plants and animals

Syllabus Dotpoints that are removed in the New Syllabus

identify and compare the gaseous exchange surfaces in an insect, a fish, a frog and a mammal

Section:Maintenance of organisms requires growth and repair

Syllabus Dotpoints that are removed in the New Syllabus

identify mitosis as a process of nuclear division and explain its role

identify the sites of mitosis in plants, insects and mammals

explain the need for cytokinesis in cell division

Excited to Learn More?

Name

Amal Joyson

Synergy really helped understand concepts in chemistry and physics.

8/19/2017

Shabrina Yusri

I've been going to Synergy for the past year for Ext 2 Maths, and honestly they are really great at...read more explaining the difficult concepts and even giving tips on how to tackle them in ways which make your life easier. The atmosphere is really chill, they have snacks if that's what you need to keep you energised!! Your tutor is basically your friend, and it makes asking questions both in-class and out of class through text much easier. Synergy is the only tutor I've ever gone to and I don't regret it - I don't know what I would've done without them.

8/23/2017

Bruce Qi

I've been here for the past year and my marks in chemistry and physics have improved greatly. Great resources, teachers,...read more culture and food. Would recommend.

8/20/2017

Kristie Chandra

Synergy is dedicated to its students. The resources contained really useful exam techniques. They also strived to ensure we fully...read more understood the most difficult concepts.

1/11/2018

Darren Ha

The teachers at Synergy have inspired me to start a career in engineering. I want to thank them for their...read more enthusiasm and passion for teaching science.

1/11/2018

Jarin Hossain

Great materials, resources and teaching that really focus on exam preparation. The teachers are really approachable when it comes to...read more individual attention for school assessments

1/11/2018

Aaron Lam

Before coming to this tutoring, I didn't understand the various concepts of chemistry and how to answer the questions. However,...read more since coming here, I have not regret it as I learnt many things.

8/19/2017

Gabe

Apart from chemistry, I've learnt so much from the teachers at Synergy. They all have amazing life experiences and their...read more just really interesting people to learn from.

1/11/2018

Shimron Pun

Synergy teachers are enthusiastic and dedicated to their work and students. Their attentiveness to each and every one of us...read more motivates us to do our best. Synergy makes learning easy and enjoyable!

1/11/2018

Kelly Xiao

After I joined Synergy I became more confident, motivated and started enjoying studying physics and chemistry. My marks have improved...read more significantly

1/11/2018

Brandon Huynh

Synergy has created an effective learning culture. They have really great teachers who push you to exceed expectations.